When considering
lenders, factor in the level of service they will provide
throughout the loan process. I'll be glad to provide a list of
lenders who have successfully helped clients in the past. I also
suggest that you ask friends and family in the area for their recommendations.

The same care and
consideration you give to finding the right house should be applied to your
search for the right mortgage lender. For most home-buyers a major
determining factor in selecting a lender is the cost of the mortgage loan.
But how do you determine the cost of a mortgage loan?

Shopping for a
Mortgage Loan

While most buyers
concentrate on interest rates, it is best to look at all the costs
associated with a mortgage loan. Mortgage loans include the quoted interest
rate, points and closing costs.

More than Just
Interest

A number of fees are
associated with the mortgage loan, including:

Appraisal - A
carefully documented opinion of value by a licensed,
professional appraiser.

Credit Report -
A detailed report of your credit,
employment and residence history prepared by a credit bureau.

Principal -
The amount owed on a mortgage which does not
include interest or other fees.

Discount Points -
Points paid in addition to the loan
origination fee to get a lower interest rate.
(1 point = 1 percent of loan amount)

Origination Points
- the total number of points paid by the borrower at closing. (1 point = 1
percent of loan amount)

InterestRate
- A percentage of a loan or mortgage
value that is paid to the lender as compensation for loaning funds.

Prepayment
Penalty Mortgages (PPMs)

These loans restrict
your right to prepay part or all of the principal in the loans
early years. A prepayment fee is charged by the lender to the
borrower who wishes to pay part or all of the loan ahead of the
regular schedule. The advantage of a PPM is that they often
have a lower interest rate than other mortgages.

Using the Annual
Percentage Rate (APR) to
Compare Mortgage Loans

The APR was designed to help borrowers understand the relative costs of a
mortgage loan. The APR takes into account the various fees associated with
the loan, which is why it is often higher than the interest rate. Understand
that not all lenders calculate a loan's APR in the same way. That is why
this should be only one of the factors used in selecting the best mortgage
for you.

Locking-in Interest
Rates

Another
factor to consider when selecting a lender is whether the lender will
lock-in the mortgage's interest rate and points.
Click here to learn more about lock-in options.